SafeLIGHT Foundation teen ambassadors led town hall meetings with their peers at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park to discuss the responsibilities and risks that come with teens driving. Nine Southland students act as ambassadors.

Teen ambassadors use leadership skills to serve as safe driving ambassadors within their high school communities to encourage responsible driving and to develop awareness campaigns for events such as National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Southland’s ambassadors are Kennedi Baity, Rickaiya Bernard, Milei Catalan, Julia Franklin, Madison Glover, Dejajuan Myers, Kehinde Sowemimo, Meilani Thomas and Sean Thomas.

The teen ambassador program at SafeLIGHT Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is sponsored by Donate Life Illinois and Gift of Hope, as well as the Illinois secretary of state’s office. SafeLIGHT promotes safe driving behavior through charitable giving to traffic safety programs and people and organizations that support responsible driving.

New head dean named at Sandburg

Jennifer Legris will begin a new post as head dean at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park on July 1, having been appointed by the District 230 Board of Education.

She replaces Lynna Dahlgren, who is retiring after 33 years in the district, her last three years as head dean.

Legris is currently assistant principal at Palos South Middle School in Palos Park. Before that, she was dean of students at West Aurora High School. She also spent 14 years as a classroom teacher and math RTI specialist. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois Wesleyan University, a master’s degree in child and adolescent development from Capella University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University.

The Sandburg alum is honored to come back to her roots and is looking forward to the new post. “I am very excited to return to Carl Sandburg as a fellow Eagle!” she shared in a news release.

“Jennifer brings a wide range and a wealth of prior experiences. We are confident these experiences will provide her with the insight necessary to meet and appreciate the everyday challenges of a student’s home and school life,” Superintendent Robert Nolting noted in the release.

Evergreen Park students honored for artwork

Eight students at Evergreen Park Community High School have been recognized as recipients of the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and one student’s work is competing on a national level.

Ava Chandler’s drawing and illustration “Distorted Portrait” received “Gold Key” recognition and will be judged nationally in New York City. National medalists were expected to be notified in March.

Receiving honorable mention were Nathaniel Novak’s digital piece “5 Expressions of Rebecca,” Haley Staidl’s photo “Beach,” Kara Mullen’s drawing and illustration “Distorted Portrait,” Alex Francisco’s painting “Alex H. Francisco,” Marison Prado’s photo “Through Prayer,” Astro Petek’s ceramics and glass piece “Guardian of the Sea,” and Juliana Bosch’s drawing and illustration “What Do You See?”

The competition is a national show presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and is judged in stages by a panel of creative professionals. Students are recognized for “outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision,” according to a news release.

Denim & Diamonds Dance set for March 14

The Chicago Heights Park District hosts Denim & Diamonds Dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 14 at the Chicago Heights West Golf Course, 1112 Scott Ave.

Attendees are invited to dress to impress in their denim best. A professional photographer will provide a free digital photo.

Tickets cost $30 per resident couple, $40 for nonresident couples and $10 for each additional child; All children 6 and older must be with an adult guest.

The cost includes food and music. Tickets are sold at the recreation center, 1400 Chicago Road. For information, call 708-755-1351.

Session on outdoor cats

Area residents are invited to help outside cats by learning about trap-neuter-return techniques held by Triple R Pets from 10:30 to noon March 8 at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave.

Attendees will learn tricks of baiting and setting humane traps, which are on loan with a fully refundable deposit if they are returned in good condition, as well as how to transport cats safely.

A list of low-cost clinics will be provided, as well as information about a caretaker’s right to feed and shelter cats in Cook County.

Those who attend a workshop receive priority for assistance. Visit www.TripleRPets.org or email info@tripleRpets.org.

Triple R Pets’ mission is to improve the lives of feral or stray adult cats or kittens in south Cook County and to neuter them to reduce the number of unwanted kittens born outside.

It does not run a shelter and cannot relocate or remove cats.

Suicide prevention course slated

A free suicide prevention course is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13 in Classroom GME2 at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, 20201 S. Crawford Ave., Olympia Fields.

The QPR Suicide Prevention Course, or question, persuade and refer, is based on material developed by the QPR Institute and has a goal of reducing suicidal behaviors and saving lives by providing practical and proven suicide prevention training.

Those trained in QPR techniques learn how to recognize warning signs of suicide crisis and how to get someone assistance.

The course is free but registration is required by March 11 by emailing Justin Davis at Justin.Davis@FrancsicanAlliance.org or calling 708-855-7692.

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